Posts Tagged ‘tornadoes’

Hurricane Nate made landfall on October 7 near the mouth of the Mississippi river and then near Biloxi, Mississippi as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Maximum sustained winds at landfall were 85 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Nate is the fourth hurricane to make U.S. landfall in the past two months and the first hurricane to make landfall in Mississippi since Hurricane Katrina (2005).

A significant severe thunderstorm outbreak with heavy rainfall has affected areas from the Southern Plains to the Great Lakes and Northeast, with historic flooding in parts of the Central Mississippi Valley. Significant rainfall amounts of over ten inches occurred over saturated soils of the Central Mississippi Valley and surrounding watersheds. The rainfall produced historic flooding on some rivers, and the Mississippi River itself is expected to approach record flood stage at Cape Girardeau over the coming days. Flood impacts have been locally severe and include reports of property damage, numerous road closures, evacuations and water rescues. A levee breach has forced evacuations near Pocahontas, Arkansas.

A severe thunderstorm outbreak has affected areas from Louisiana to Kentucky to Florida. Several tornadoes have been reported in Southeast Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida. This includes a probable EF-3 tornado affecting the East New Orleans area, according to media reports. Significant property damage has been reported for several areas, with especially severe impacts for the East New Orleans tornado. Downed trees and powerlines with light to moderate property damage have been reported for affected areas of the Florida Panhandle. At least 36 injuries and one fatality have been reported in the media. Rescue and damage survey operations are ongoing, and it is too early to ascertain the full scope and severity of this event. Our first thoughts and concerns are with those directly affected by this event.

A significant severe weather outbreak has affected areas from East Texas to the Florida Peninsula to South Carolina. These severe thunderstorms were enabled in an especially favorable environment to produce reports of tornadoes, hail and nontornadic wind gusts. One significant tornado has been confirmed by the National Weather Service to affect areas of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Probable significant tornadoes have also been reported in South Georgia. Significant property damage has been reported for areas affected by these tornadoes. Media reports also indicate downed trees and powerlines with light property damage in areas affected by other weaker tornadoes and nontornadic wind gusts. At least 19 fatalities have been reported by the media, and our first thoughts and concerns are with those directly affected by this event.

Tropical Storm Bill made landfall at about 11:45 CDT (16:45 UTC) yesterday on Matagorda Island, Texas, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Maximum sustained winds at landfall were 60 mph according to the NHC. Bill inflicted storm force winds, a storm surge of at least three feet and heavy rainfall to an area still saturated from the excessive rains of last month.

Another round of heavy thunderstorms and intense rainfall affected the Southern Plains over the weekend. This follows a month of excessive rainfall in the area, with frequent periods of organized and slow-moving intense thunderstorms. Widespread and severe flooding has affected many areas, including flash flooding in both the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas. Many area rivers have yet to crest after the last round of heavy rainfall.

The Americas accounted for 57 percent of global losses in 2014, compared to 48 percent in 2013, 87 percent in 2012 and 26 percent in 2011. Man-made incidents included the explosion of an unmanned supply rocket in October in Virginia, the October crash of the Virgin Galactic spaceship in California and the Chevron Phillips refinery fire in Texas in July.